Source: Wikimedia Commons
Blue Tree Monitor
AdvancedVaranus macraei
A tree monitor patterned with vivid blue spots on black, found only on Batanta Island, Indonesia. It reaches about 1.1 m, roughly two-thirds of which is a long tail it wraps around branches as it moves through the canopy.
Difficulty
Advanced
Lifespan
15-20 years
Size
About 1.1m; the tail is roughly 1.95 times the snout-vent length, and females are about 10cm shorter than males
Humidity
70%
Diet
Crickets, dubia roaches and other insects, with rodents as a supplement
About
Varanus macraei is an arboreal varanid found only on Batanta Island, Indonesia. Described by Böhme and Jacobs in 2001, it is a relatively recently named member of the tree monitor group, the Varanus prasinus complex. Vivid blue spotting arranged in a reticulate pattern on a black ground makes it one of the most striking of all monitors. It reaches about 1.1 m in total length, the tail being roughly 1.95 times the snout-vent length and serving as a prehensile organ wrapped around branches for support; females are about 10 cm shorter than males. Long digits, long claws and enlarged scales on the soles of the feet are all adaptations to arboreal life. Because its range is confined to a single island and because collection for the pet trade and habitat loss add further pressure, the IUCN assesses it as Endangered. In captivity it requires both high humidity and a hot basking site, and it dehydrates very easily. Nervous and fast-moving, it is a demanding species to keep.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Blue Tree Monitor
Blue Tree Monitor lifespan: 15-20 years
Size of the Blue Tree Monitor
Blue Tree Monitor adult size: About 1.1m; the tail is roughly 1.95 times the snout-vent length, and females are about 10cm shorter than males
Basic Info
Origin
Batanta Island, Southwest Papua, Indonesia
Lifespan
15-20 years
Size
About 1.1m; the tail is roughly 1.95 times the snout-vent length, and females are about 10cm shorter than males
Care Specifications
Semi-aggressivePairBreeding: Hard
Sources: Reptiles Magazine: The Tree Monitors / Chameleon Academy: Blue Tree Monitors / Wikipedia (English) / Reptile Database
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Varanus macraei Böhme & Jacobs, 2001
Authority databases: GBIF · Reptile Database
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix IIIUCN EN · Endangered
Varanidae spp. are listed in CITES Appendix II. Because of Appendix II listing, an international CITES registration certificate is not required, but an export permit issued by the exporting country is necessary for importation. In Japan, only 2 species of Varanidae are designated as Specified Animals; this species is not included. It does not fall under Designated Invasive Species under the Invasive Species Act.
Sources: CITES Appendices (Varanidae spp., Appendix II) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Blue Tree Monitor Listings
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